Jim Cumbes

When Tony Harrison broke an arm saving at the feet of an Aldershot player, Hugh Fisher persuaded Jimmy Cumbes to sign as a non-contract player. At the time of his signing Cumbes was not playing football, concentrating on his sports outfitters business in the Midlands. Prior to joining Southport he had helped out at Runcorn after their regular ’keeper was injured against Southport in the F.A. Cup. Twelve years earlier he had been signed by Tranmere Rovers as cover for Harry Leyland and went on to appear in 374 Football League matches. In 1973 he was Aston Villa’s ’keeper in the League Cup Final. An all-round sportsman, Cumbes, a fast medium bowler, played County Cricket for no fewer than four counties including two spells with Lancashire where he is currently employed as Commercial Manager. While with Surrey CCC he came close to playing for England in the Final Test v. New Zealand in 1969 but his football commitments precluded his selection. He is a regular attender at Southport Football Club’s ‘Sportsmen’s Dinners’.

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Jim Cumbes